GAM: Play Today, Lead Tomorrow-Spring 2024

the GAM

a conversation among mariners

Charting a Legacy of Teamwork

Play Today, Lead Tomorrow

On the cover

All-Star Faye McGuire ’26, a talented three-sport athlete, controls the ball against Monomoy’s team captain in the October 26, 2023 home game.

Marconi Beach Returns

After days of inclement weather stymied FA’s annual all-school sand sculpture team competition last year, it returned with enthusiasm under clear skies, featuring several tributes to departing Head of School Matt Green and various innovative depictions of current events. The Modern Language department was well represented on this year’s panel of judges, comprised of Rob Wells, Bettina Freelund, and Christine Carter, who awarded first place to Shark Capital, second place to Margaritaville RIP Jimmy Buffett, and third place to Maui No¯ Ka’oi

Falmouth Academy

GAM: “A social meeting of whale ships ... with all the sympathies of sailors [and] all the peculiar congenialities arising from a common pursuit.”

Falmouth Academy

7 Highfield Drive, Falmouth, MA 02540 508-457-9696

falmouthacademy.org

Administration

Matthew Green, Head of School

Michael Earley, Assistant Head of School

Petra Ehrenbrink, Academic Dean

Pamela Clapp Hinkle, Director of Development

Carmen DiSanto, Director of Finance and Operations

Sarah Knowles, Director of Admission and Enrollment Management

Editorial Staff

Amy Galvam, Director of Communications

Barbara Campbell, Director of Alumni and Parent Relations

David Gallagher, Development Associate, Annual Giving and Operations

Photos: Michael Zagachin, Leah Fasten, Susan Moffat, Sarah Knowles, Brenda Sharp, Britta Santamauro, Heather Hass, Chris McGuire, FA Archives

Design: Julianne Waite

Mission

Harnessing the power of inspired learning in a world-renowned scientific and vibrant artistic community, Falmouth Academy emboldens each student to take creative and intellectual risks to confidently engage the challenges of our times.

Guiding Values

We value the beauty of knowledge and the joy of conversation.

We value collaboration and generosity of spirit.

We value the power of a culture of kindness.

We value relationships built on trust, respect, and direct communication.

We value the wonder of imagination.

We value each student’s pursuit of diverse challenges and opportunities.

We value teachers as models of confident, rich adulthood.

We value the richness of an educational experience that includes people with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and identities.

Dear Friends,

It has been a banner year for the FA athletic program, as you will soon read in this edition of The GAM. Several teams qualified for post-season play, FA Mariners were recognized with league honors for skill and sportsmanship, and one even joined our basketball program’s illustrious 1,000 points club. Two cross-country runners finished first (in fields of several hundred runners) at the Frank Mooney Invitational, and our fledgling tennis team had its first interscholastic match.

Though as a student I would not have been among those referenced above, I still dove headfirst into after-school sports, enjoying stints on the benches of soccer, cross country, basketball, wrestling, squash, track, lacrosse, and baseball teams. Average to terrible at most of these, I still recognized that enjoying air and exercise, being part of a team, and pushing myself beyond my perceived limitations were just a few of the benefits of playing sports.

School sports provide the perfect venue to demonstrate measurable improvement. I often brag that our faculty “measure success not only by the places their students go but by the distance each has traveled.” Nowhere is this more apparent than in our athletic program, where lessons learned last well beyond when the bell rings, the whistle blows, or the curtain falls.

And speaking of curtains falling, most know that I am savoring the last days, my last lap so to speak, of six wonderful years as Falmouth Academy’s Head of School. When I eventually pack up, I will take down the poem, “To Be of Use,” that has hung on my wall throughout my tenure. In it, Marge Percy writes:

I love people who harness themselves, an ox to a heavy cart, Who pull like water buffalo, with massive patience, Who strain in the mud and the muck to move things forward, Who do what has to be done, again and again.

I have tried to bring this kind of resolve to every day I have spent at FA, and I am so grateful to my colleagues, past and present, who have done the same. I once wrote them a short “pep talk” naming some of the small and large ways they were making a difference:

Perhaps you modeled the importance of serious scholarship, perhaps you challenged a cultural assumption or paid attention to a child who was feeling invisible, perhaps you conducted yourself with a contagious joie de vivre, or spent an hour correcting an essay, perhaps you were fascinating, or you corrected a child’s manners, pushed a student further than she thought she could be pushed, made an exception that someone really needed… what you do this year will, in small and large ways, change the world.

Sounds a bit grandiose, I know, but that’s what we do here and more importantly, that’s why we do it. My mother taught me that the word enthusiasm derives from the Greek word enthusos, which translates to “the god from within.” Falmouth Academy has always been a temple for that particular god; may it be so for generations to come. My wife Jennifer and I are so grateful for the friendship, support, and of course enthusiasm that all of you have shared with us.

Go, Mariners!

Matthew Green Head of School

Wings for Falmouth Families

Wings for Falmouth Families soared during a heartwarming showcase of community spirit at Falmouth Academy. The family concert, held on Sunday, November 19, 2023 in the Simon Center for the Arts, supported the charity’s mission to assist families facing medical crises or hardships. Performances by FA’s Mixed & Advanced Ensembles, Rock Band, and International Ensemble highlighted the event, along with an engaging instrument demonstration by the students.

While admission was free, attendees were encouraged to support Wings’ annual giving tree through donations of gift cards, or grocery and gas cards, providing vital assistance to community members in need.

Extra, Extra! Toil and Trouble

Eighth graders in Katie Lupo’s history class brought the Salem Witch Trials to life with realistic old-timey front pages of fictitious newspapers, crafted with titles such as Diabolical Discourse, Colonial Column, and The Witcher's Pot. Each page bewitched the reader with a gripping opening paragraph and included an in-depth profile of a key historical figure, complemented by a thoughtprovoking political cartoon.

Slaying the Literary Dragon

The 2023 edition of Resonance, FA’s annual student literary publication, advised by Dr. Pauline Levy, received the highest rank of Distinguished in the 2023 NCTE Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines (REALM) program out of 375 submitted publications. Cover art by Editor-inChief Henry Redfield ’23.

Spooky Simon

Held in the Simon Center for the Arts, Director Liz Ledwell’s fall production of Tim Kelly’s adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Canterville Ghost was a “rollicking romp,” says Matt Green. In addition to theatrical lighting and dramatic makeup, the ghoulish experience was enhanced by a performance in the round, just in time for Halloween.

Will Butler ’24 as Sir Simon de Canterville, also inspired the original program art by Lynn Jazo ’26.

Ocean En Pointe

Under the spotlight at the Tilden Arts Center, seven FA students graced the stage in Turning Pointe Dance Studio’s rendition of The Sea Captain’s Nutcracker last November. With each arabesque and grand jeté, they wove Cape Cod’s history and folklore into this classic holiday ballet.

Congratulations to Lila Mele ’26, Sia Canelos ’26, Sara Cook ’26, Taleena Gonneea ’26, Hannah Park ’28, Tate Nelson ’28, and Zara Taylor-Keefer ’28 for their remarkable performances and commitment to the art of dance!

Weaving Wampanoag Wisdom with Tobias Vanderhoop

At the invitation of his nephew, Haoa ’29, Mr. Tobias Vanderhoop, former chairperson of the Wampanoag Tribe of Aquinnah, was a special guest speaker at All School Meeting. A masterful storyteller, Vanderhoop began with ritual drumming as a tribute to his ancestors and then captivated his audience with richly detailed origin stories of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and the Wampanoag people. As the session drew to a close, Haoa joined him on stage, engaging in a sweet back-and-forth as they addressed questions from the audience with humor and affection.

A Swinging Success at FA’s Glowing Gala

At the “In the Glowing Garden” themed 2024 Gala, orchestrated by the student council, Falmouth Academy raised over $2,500 for the Leary Firefighters Foundation. In a delightful twist, middle school dance partners Veronica Foureman ’28 and Sylvie Parsons ’28 stole the show by earning first place in the swing dance competition.

Trebuchet, you Say?

8th graders in Jill Reves’ science class journeyed through time with a trebuchet-building challenge just before March break. As they constructed medieval marvels, students unraveled the mysteries of ancient engineering while honing their skills in physics and algebra.

A Whale of a Time

Congratulations to Anne Jeffrey ’25, whose Extended Inquiry project, “Whaling During the Civil War,” will be featured in an upcoming virtual exhibit at Falmouth Museums on the Green. Jeffrey collaborated closely with Meg Costello, the museum’s research manager, on her project.

Introduced last year, the Extended Inquiry program offers upper-grade students the opportunity to explore a topic of interest in depth, culminating in the creation of a significant final project. Students passionate about science and engineering have the option to meet this requirement by engaging in Falmouth Academy’s ongoing Science and Engineering Fair.

Cupcakes for Cancer

Cupcakes for Cancer, a new after-school activity initiated by Ava Churchill ’25 and Declan Lane ’25, spreads sweetness for a cause. Each treat made and sold benefits the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, with fan favorites including homemade whoopie pies.

Nolan Van Keuren ’28 tests his trebuchet.

Governor’s Youth Council

On March 25, 2024, Maria Soares ’25 was sworn in by Governor Maura Healey to her Youth Advisory Council. Established through an executive order, Council members will advise the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and the administration on critical issues impacting Massachusetts, such as civic engagement, education, climate, housing, mental health, and youth violence. The Council is made up of 60 young people from every region of the state who will serve a two-year appointment.

The FA Archive is Reborn

As Falmouth Academy nears its 50th anniversary, Librarian Britta Santamauro and Alumni Director Barbara Campbell have been meeting over the past year to sort documents, identify photographs, scan yearbooks, convert videotapes to a digital format, and so much more to create a usable archive for the school.

Thanks to a very generous donor, a section of the Bruce and Patrice Buxton Library was carved out to house documents, photos, and artifacts in a climate-controlled, organized environment. Soon, students and visitors will be able to research the Falmouth Academy tartan (obtained during a student trip to Scotland!) or take a look at the 6-foot stick, a relic of our COVID days, or study photos from Revels for familiar faces, or see how themes of current events have shaped the creation of sand sculptures at Marconi.

With this issue of The GAM and on our social media forums, we will begin featuring History Mysteries from the Archive. If you’re in the area and have some time, please come by FA and identify photos.

• Who are the teachers pictured here at a Marconi Beach Day?

• Who are the other members of the group?

• What is the subject matter of this sand sculpture?

• When was this picture taken?

Email Barbara Campbell with your answers at bcampbell@falmouthacademy.org.

Above: Governor Maura Healey, Maria Soares ’25, and Representative David Viera

Closing the Gap

Devon Lanson-Alleyne ’25 has been recognized by the stateappointed Massachusetts Commission on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren for her advocacy work in support of legislation proposed by the group.

On Tuesday, October 10, 2023, Lanson-Alleyne testified at the Statehouse before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Higher Education in support of equity in education benefits for children, like herself, who are being raised by their grandparents.

Bills from both houses, House Bill 1257 and Senate Bill 819, were jointly considered. If passed and signed into law, these bills would provide free tuition benefits at state universities and colleges to grandchildren raised under the guardianship of their grandparents. The bill would extend to them the same benefits already granted to children raised through the foster care system.

“This would relieve a burden being shouldered by those who raise their grandchildren to keep them with family but who often are retired and lack the resources to pay for college,” said Jerry Lanson, Devon’s grandfather. Lanson-Alleyne told the committee she believed more of the 30,000 children in the state being raised by grandparents would attend college if the bills become law. She noted that many of these kids have had to overcome significant

challenges in their lives to even consider college. Lanson-Alleyne, her grandfather, and other grandparents will share the 2024 John Lepper Advocacy Award from the Grandparents Commission for their work on behalf of the bills. Lepper, a former state legislator, played a major role in establishing the Commission in 2008. Lanson serves on the commission’s advisory board. The bills were favorably reported by the Committee on Higher Education earlier this year and are now before the House Ways and Means Committee. Advocacy efforts like those of LansonAlleyne, who was the only student to testify in person before the committee, could profoundly impact the lives of many families throughout the Commonwealth.

Bridging Ancient and Modern Creativity

This academic year brought exciting additions to the offerings of 11th-grade Arts Across the Curriculum, enriching students’ learning experiences with creative exploration and interdisciplinary collaboration. Spearheading one of these initiatives, art teacher Lucy Nelson partnered with Kate Durkin’s 11th-grade Chemistry class to embark on a journey into the ancient art of ink-making.

Drawing inspiration from millennia-old traditions, junior chemistry students foraged their surroundings for natural materials, from fox grapes to coffee grounds, to craft a palette of inks in the chemistry lab. Under Nelson’s guidance, they simmered, mashed, and mixed these raw ingredients, infusing their creations with vibrant colors and enduring qualities. In the art studio, students experimented with shifting pH levels to produce a spectrum of hues, inspired by the techniques of renowned Canadian artist and forager, Jason Logan. “I asked my students to paint intuitively with the inks they created,” explained Nelson. The results are beautiful amorphous watercolors that will change over time because, as Nelson explains, only time will tell which inks are permanent and which are fugitive.

In a parallel endeavor, Technology Director Martha Borden collaborated with Jon Olson’s Math Models 11th-grade class to push the boundaries of creativity through technology. Together, students delved into the realm of geometric design, harnessing computer code to translate their artistic visions into mesmerizing 2-D patterns. Through a fusion of art and technology, these designs were transformed into stunning 3-D renderings, showcasing the ingenuity and innovation of our students.

These pioneering projects exemplify the power of interdisciplinary education to inspire creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, paving the way for a future where art and science converge in harmonious exploration.

Above: Seomae Aronson ’25 ink painting with hibiscus, tumeric, Kousa dogwood berries, and copper.

Upper Right (L-R): Dr. Kate Durkin separating berries with Declan Lane ’26, Dillon Fondren ’25, and Robby Lender ’25.

Middle Right (L-R): Susanna Lowell ’25, Ann Jeffrey ’25, Lucy Nelson, and Henry Richins ’25 reducing the ink.

Lower Right: 2-D and 3-D art project by Ava Churchill ’25; David Gallagher ’25 coding his design.

Resonating Success

In an unprecedented feat, all ten FA vocalists and instrumentalists who auditioned for the Cape Cod Music Educators Association (CCMEA) All Cape Music Festival were selected, with Luke Okoshi-Michel ’26 as Concertmaster. Six of these students were then selected for the even more prestigious Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) Southeast District Festival.

Three middle-school musicians were selected for the MMEA Southeast Junior District Music Festival, with Alex de Chiara ’28 as Concertmaster, Fofi Versylcke ’28 as first trumpet in the Jazz Band, and Miguel Gomez-Ibanez ’29 as principal second violinist.

FA’s International Ensemble, featuring Kelly Lin ’24 (violin), Luke Okoshi-Michel ’26 (violin), Genie Chang ’26 (piano), and Robert Ronan ’26 (guitar), auditioned and was chosen for one of only three spotlight concerts at the MMEA annual music conference in Worcester, MA this year.

Congratulations to George Scharr, Norma Stiner, and Maggie Bossi for their guidance and inspiration in fostering a culture of excellence and a love of music

ALL CAPE MUSIC FESTIVAL

TENOR SAX

David Aubrey ’26

TROMBONE

Alex de Chiara ’28

TENOR VOICE

Genie Chang ’26

BASS VOICE

Thomas Goux ’25

SOPRANO VOICE

Sophie Gaughan ’26

TUBA

Lynn Jazo ’26

BASS VOICE

Fletcher Parsons ’26

VIOLIN

Luke Okoshi-Michel ’26

TIMPANI

Justin Sontag ’24

TRUMPET

Fofi Verslycke ’28

SE DISTRICT FESTIVAL

TENOR SAX

David Aubrey ’26

PIANO

Genie Chang ’26

SOPRANO VOICE

Sophie Gaughan ’26

BASS VOICE

Thomas Goux ’25

BASS VOICE

Fletcher Parsons ’26

Sankofa

Black History Month is a dedicated time to honor the achievements and sacrifices of African Americans, paying tribute to the forebears upon whose shoulders we stand. As emphasized by Robin Joyce Miller in her keynote speech that opened the heritage month, we are urged to adopt the Ghanaian principle of Sankofa—to retrieve and critically examine the past in order to intelligently and intentionally shape the future.

In line with this ethos, the Woods Hole Diversity Initiative invited Cape Cod high school students to participate in a Cape-wide art competition. Students were encouraged to create artwork inspired by an African American artist or musician and accompany their piece with a brief statement. This year’s national theme, “African Americans and the Arts,” inspired twenty-seven artists to submit entries, including ten from Falmouth Academy. Remarkably, three of the four winners were young women from FA.

Congratulations to Thalia O’Neil ’24 for her vibrant painting of Rosa Parks in the style of Charles Searles; Natalie Pil ’24 for her stylized block print of Alma Thomas; and Clara Athearn ’24 for her expressive block print of Basquiat. Each participant received a copy of This is Honey: An Anthology of Contemporary Black Poets, edited by Kwame Alexander and signed by local poet Jarita Davis, who is featured in the anthology.

I illustrated Rosa Parks, a leader of the Civil Rights Movement, refusing to give up her seat on the bus. Painting the bus in black and white as a stark contrast to the bright patterns outside the windows, I showed the movement forward that Rosa Parks started.

Her colorful figure looks out the windows at the patterns inspired by the work of African American artist Charles Searles in his piece Celebration

Jean-Michel Basquiat —Clara Athearn ’24

When I first started this project, I was unsure which artist I wanted to represent and when I discovered Basquiat I was really intrigued by his work.

I loved its graffiti style along with the strong messages that many of his works contained. So I decided to create a block print based on a photo of him taken by Andy Warhol.

Color is Life —Natalie Pil ’24

I also fell in love with Alma Thomas’s composition and use of color. After doing research, I fell in love with her story.

Her emphasis on appreciating everyday beauty deeply resonated with me as I am fortunate to live in such a beautiful place.

“A world without color would seem dead. Color is life.”

A Celebration of Rosa Parks —Thalia O’Neil ’24

At FA’s 36th Science and Engineering Fair on February 15, 2024, seventy-five judges evaluated 124 projects. Among them was Luke Okoshi-Michel ’26, whose investigation into the impact of oyster aquaculture on water quality earned him the prestigious WHOI-sponsored first-place award. Yaz Aubrey ’25 delved into the intriguing question of whether the source of dark energy is time-dependent, securing the MBL-sponsored first-place award. Additionally, a team effort by Jaiden Elber ’26 and Matthew Kellogg ’26 explored peanut shells as a source of biofuel, earning them the SEA-sponsored first-place award.

Throughout the fall, FA students benefited from the guidance of 18 scientists from the local community, including Dr. Alfredo Aretxabaleta, who generously advised and mentored Cian Davis ’26 on his project exploring the effect of distance on wave height and duration.

Fifty-five prizes, scholarships, and honorable mentions were awarded to upper- and middle-school students, showcasing their exceptional talents and dedication to scientific inquiry.

Eleven students and ten projects from Falmouth Academy presented at the MA SE Regional Science and Engineering Fair held at Bridgewater State University on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Max Donovan ’26 secured a first-place award for his study on the sustainability of wood pellets. Taleena Gonneea ’26 and Luke Okoshi-Michel ’26 received third place for their respective studies of microplastics and oyster aquaculture. David Aubrey ’26 was recognized with an honorable mention for his engineering project on renewable wave energy for buoys. Willow Wakefield ’26 was also awarded an honorable mention for her investigation into the effects of various alcohols on microscopic organisms.

Further details about the awards and the Fair’s many generous sponsors can be found on the FA website.

Above left: Dr. Alfredo Aretxabaleta and Cian Davis ’26

Above right: Support rock made by Maddy Francis ’19 for her 7th grade students

Bach to Basics

Under the “How Cool Is This” category, FA student musicians received personal instruction from a German music teacher bearing the auspicious name Bach!

Here’s how it happened: FA German teacher Gundi Eder saw a notice in a newsletter from the American Association of Teachers of German announcing opportunities for teachers, including music teachers, to apply for virtual exchanges between the United States and Germany. She asked George Scharr, FA’s Director of Music and Arts Chair, also a trombonist with the Cape Symphony, if he would be interested. He was.

In February, Scharr invited Holger Bach, a fellow music educator from the Thomas Mann Schule in Lübeck, Germany, and trombonist with the Lübeck Symphony Orchestra, into the classroom via Zoom to teach a master class to FA’s brass band ensemble. In March, Scharr returned the courtesy and taught Bach’s brass band a lesson on excerpts from “Aladdin,” “Ode to Joy,” and “Ol’ Man River.”

Bach had the FA musicians play movements from German composer Tielman Susato’s “Three Dances,” an early brass

ensemble classic. He focused on their breathing and told them to match it to the first trumpet, Fofi Verslycke ’28. He instructed the other musicians to listen for Verslycke’s audible air intake and collectively play on the exhale rather than counting (1, 2, 3) for better coordination. Doing this allowed the trumpets, trombones, baritone, and tubas to synchronize, resulting in a beautiful harmony.

This is not FA’s first music exchange with a German student music group. In 2001 and 2003, former Academic Dean and Orchestra Director Dr. Deborah Bradley worked with the orchestra lead at the Hölderlin Gymnasium in Heidelberg to create an inperson exchange. First, the German students came to FA, and the two orchestras performed for the Falmouth community. Later in the year, the FA students traveled to Germany.

In bridging continents through the universal language of music, Falmouth Academy continues its tradition of cultural exchange, enriching the lives of its students and fostering connections that resonate far beyond the confines of the classroom.

This year, changes to the academic schedule introduced a mid-morning break and a Friday Flex Block, aimed at providing students with more flexibility and accommodating various student organizations. Flex time promotes deeper engagement and student-centered learning, while also teaching valuable time management skills and reinforcing the importance of balancing responsibilities and personal interests.

These adjustments have led to the emergence of new student activities like A Cappella, Dance Club, Silent Book Club, Friendship-Bracelet Making, and Dungeons and Dragons Club, alongside established groups such as Students for Social Justice, Gender Sexuality Alliance, and Women in Science and Engineering. “By embracing flexibility, FA continues to foster a dynamic learning environment,” says Matt Green, “promoting both academic excellence and personal growth.”

FA Flex

Skill, Strategy, and the Luck of the Draw

Over three consecutive Wednesdays in January, Matt Green’s Mock Trial elective headed to the Falmouth District Court to compete in the first round of the State Mock Trial Competition, sponsored by the Massachusetts Bar Association. Benjamin Angell ’24, Ava Churchill ’25, and Josh McGuire ’26 stepped into the roles of lawyers, while Maverick Pil ’26, Adele Francis ’24, and Bodhi Talbot ’26 took the stand as witnesses. This emerging team excelled in the regional series, advancing to the state competition at Clark University over March break.

“Mock Trial is experiential education at its finest,” asserts Green. Each year, the Bar Association formulates a case based on real events, which teams diligently analyze over several months. During the trials, presided over by actual judges and judged by juries of practicing lawyers, teams must strictly adhere to courtroom protocols and etiquette. Success in the competition hinges not just on achieving the desired verdict but also on mastering courtroom demeanor and deploying shrewd, often improvised legal strategies.

At the state level, the roles of prosecution and defense are determined by a coin toss just before the competition starts. This year, the opposition won the toss and chose to defend, leaving Falmouth Academy to prosecute and establish the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. FA narrowly lost to the more seasoned Phillips Andover Academy by a mere two points, with a final score of 89-87—not bad for a new once-a-cycle elective taught by a former English teacher.

Back (l-r): Josh McGuire ’26, Bodhi Talbot ’26, Maverick Pil ’26

Front (l-r): Adele Francis ’24, Benjamin Angell ’24, Ava Churchill ’25

Mariner Athletics

Charting a Legacy of Teamwork

Who would have thought that a scrappy little startup school with its humble beginnings of 43 students in 1977, first housed in the basement of the Woodbriar Retirement Home, would evolve into the well-appointed school it is today, nestled in Beebe Woods on its expansive 34acre campus. In just under fifty years, Falmouth Academy (FA) with its intentionally small size and inclusive philosophy toward athletics—where anyone who wants to play, can—has fielded everything from water polo to softball, and produced some of the best athletes on Cape Cod. Notably, FA held the record for the highest career points scored by a high school basketball player on Cape Cod from 1998 to 2022 and set the record for the most career lacrosse goals on the Cape in 2018. In addition, eight of its varsity basketball players have scored more than 1,000 career points, including this year’s MVP Nate Holmes ’24 with 1,034 points scored in just three years. Imagine what he could have done if he hadn’t missed a season due to COVID. However, what truly sets Mariner athletics apart is its sportsmanship, the spirit of which three-sport athlete Mark Lafaver ’92 eloquently expressed upon his induction into the FA Hall of Fame, “To keep your head up in defeat and nose down in victory.”

In 1981, while operating out of the Campbell School on the old Otis Air Force Base, FA aspirationally appointed Jim Mardulier as its first Director of Athletics. By 1987, FA fielded six teams: boys’ and girls’ soccer and basketball, baseball, softball, and cross country despite a lack of suitable facilities on base. “I know there are alumni out there from before my time who can tell hilarious stories about the first half of the baseball season being devoted to ‘building’ the field,” reminisced Rob Wells, FA’s longestserving Director of Athletics (1988-2017).

FA’s dedication to a team-over-individual philosophy in sports prepares students for leadership and success in a wide range of professional fields.

These early years demonstrated the school’s entrepreneurial spirit, yet they functioned more like a club program according to Wells. He recalled picking players up from as far away as Plymouth in the wee hours to fit in practice before school because that was the only available court time at the Lyle School in Bourne.

Looking forward to the 1988-89 school year in its permanent home, Headmaster Bruce Buxton formed an Athletics Steering Committee to prioritize creating a program of interscholastic play against schools of similar size and purpose. It was determined that the best way to accomplish this was to join a league, so Mardulier contacted Southeastern New England Independent Schools Athletic Association (SENEISAA), a Rhode Island league of independent schools, and FA’s boys’ varsity soccer was invited to play in the fall of 1988. The following year, FA’s girls’ varsity basketball started playing in a different Rhode Island league that eventually was absorbed by the SENEISAA.

In 1987, boys’ lacrosse was introduced followed in 1989 by girls’ lacrosse, necessitating an end to FA’s baseball and softball programs. According to Wells, lacrosse aligned more closely with independent school interscholastic play and depended more on grit and hustle than

Above (from top): Jim Mardulier, Rob Wells, Henry Stevens, Patrick Kennedy

specialized skills. Coaches Bill Watson and Maggie Nunes spearheaded FA’s newest sport.

In 1990, FA was instrumental in forming the Independent Girls Conference with teams from the Boston area. By the late ’90s, FA had achieved its vision of a comprehensive interscholastic program, anchored by a commitment to athleticism and sportsmanship.

Today, FA varsity teams compete in the Cape and Island League under the governance of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA), which sponsors activities in thirty-three sports, comprising 374 public and private high schools in Massachusetts.

Central to Rob Wells' legacy as Director of Athletics was the propagation of the three-season athlete. Young players, many of whom had never before held a lacrosse stick or shot a free throw, were nurtured from middle school where they were strongly encouraged to play a sport each season. Supported by FA’s inclusive philosophy, generations of students were inspired to try something new and cultivate a newfound skill and love of the game.

Wells was succeeded by Henry Stevens, who introduced several innovations, including a summer skills clinic and the revival of the cross country team. Patrick Kennedy took over from Stevens in 2022 and brokered a “co-op” collaboration with Falmouth High School’s sailing program, allowing FA students to sail under the Clipper moniker. He also founded the tennis club program and solidified Stevens’ vision for cross country by raising it to varsity status and overseeing the creation of a home course.

The dedication, innovation, and community engagement laid down by these directors paved the way for Matt McKinnon, FA’s outgoing Director of Athletics, who attributes much of his success to his coaching staff. Under his guidance, FA has continued to nurture a spirit of athleticism and teamwork reminiscent of much bigger programs.

“The dedication of our coaches and the level of meaningful participation of our student-athletes surpass what many larger schools offer,” said McKinnon. “Our ability to engage about 30% of our student body in athletics is remarkable.”

Although McKinnon is returning to his South Coast roots next year, he has helped to further FA’s program to embody the core values of being a scholar-athlete through excellence and participation. His leadership sets the stage for continued innovation and achievement in FA’s athletic programs.

Planning for Athletic Facility Upgrades Underway

As part of FA’s new Forward to Fifty Campaign—an $8M, four-year effort now in its introductory “quiet” phase that seeks to raise support for key priorities including tuition assistance, faculty development, and the Fund for Falmouth Academy—the school is actively raising funds to upgrade facilities adjacent to the gymnasium.

Phase I of the plan, now in design with DSK Architects, includes adding new team locker rooms and an office for the Director of Athletics, enhancing ADA compliance, creating restroom facilities for guests, and generally improving the visitor experience and area aesthetics with refreshed landscaping and building entry design. More than $1.2M of the $2.5M project has been raised for the effort. If all goes according to plan, the school expects to break ground in the fall of 2025.

Phase II of the project includes adding additional square footage adjacent to the current classroom connector including a flexible classroom space designed to accommodate multipurpose, hands-on arts, sciences, and experiential learning activities as well as a wellness studio/fitness center for team workouts, yoga, meditation, and small group activities. Phase II is contingent on raising an additional $2+M. For more information about this important initiative and ways you can participate in the Forward to Fifty Campaign, contact incoming Director of Development Katharine Enos (kenos@falmouthacademy.org).

FA Athletic Hall of Fame

Outstanding Mariners: Players and Coaches

David Tamasi ’90

Jodi Kopke ’92

Mark Lafaver ’92

Murro Van Meter ’95

Karen Geagan ’96

James Canedy ’97

Greg Clancy ’97

Sarah Beninghof ’98

Leigh Stokey ’02

Sarah Swanbeck ’03

Katie Palmer ’05

Steven Smith ’07

Bene Webster ’09

Xandy Walsh ’11

Allisa Dalpe ’12

Coach Rob Wells

Coach Peter Conzett

FA Basketball 1,000-Point Club

Mariners who scored more than 1,000 points during their high school basketball careers

2,310 POINTS

Kendall Currence ’18

1,812 POINTS

Sarah Beninghof ’98

1,336 POINTS

Katie Palmer ’05

1,227 POINTS & 1,054 REBOUNDS

Eliza Van Voorhis ’17

1,215 POINTS

Thomas Aviles ’12

1,117 POINTS

David Tamasi ’90

1,034 POINTS

Nate Holmes ’24

1,001 POINTS

Leigh Stokey ’02

Beyond the

Participating in sports at FA extends beyond the game; it lays a foundation for life that resonates from the field to the boardroom, rooted in camaraderie and a dedication to excellence. Our scholar-athletes develop invaluable life skills such as accountability, commitment, and perseverance, enabling them to grow as teammates and become future leaders. In interviews with Barbara Campbell, Director of Alumni and Parent Relations, members of the Athletic Hall of Fame and the 1,000 Point Club reflected on what being a Mariner has meant to them.

Since its inception, FA's sports ethos has emphasized collective achievement over individual success. The legacy of FA Athletics, through the lens of its alumni, underscores the significant impact of this approach on shaping well-rounded, collaborative, and resilient leaders.

David Tamasi ’90 , a pioneering figure as the first individual from an independent school named to the Cape Cod Times All-Star Soccer team, reminisces about

his high-school athletic career. With 1,117 career points, his journey from a star basketball player on Cape Cod to Managing Director of Chartwell Strategy Group underscores the transformative power of sports. “The Cape sports scene was very different when I played, ... there was scrappiness to the program. It was fun to be part of an upstart operation,” Tamasi reflects, highlighting the grit and determination that later fueled his professional success.

Greg Clancy ’97 , founder of Greg Clancy Construction, Inc., a prominent building and remodeling company in Falmouth, links his success as a self-employed business owner to his experiences on the field under the direction of FA coaches, especially Peter Conzett and Don Swanbeck. Clancy models his leadership on their example, saying, “My employees are like my players, and it’s my job to ensure they perform to their best abilities.”

Top: Kendall Currence ’18, all-time points leader Bottom: Nate Holmes ’24, most recent to join the 1,000-point club

How Falmouth Academy Sports Shape Future Leaders

Known as one of the key players in the best five-year stretch of FA Boys Varsity Soccer, Steven Smith ’07 , who is now a yacht Captain, also credits team sports with helping him hone his leadership skills, particularly how to earn respect, manage people with varying skill levels, and putting the team first.

“I’ve been on boats with crews as large as 25, and have learned how to place people into roles that bring out the best in them.”

When faced with a coaching change that had implications for his role on the team, Smith learned the value of resiliency in the face of adversity. “When Coach Parsons took over for Coach Lott, my role on the team changed drastically, which was hard. Coach Parsons helped me understand the importance of adapting for the team’s overall benefit.”

Bene Webster ’09, a strong defensive lacrosse player who continued her career at Mount Holyoke College, shares how sports at FA empowered her to take on leadership roles with confidence and vigor, particularly in the tech industry. Now a UX Programs and Operations Lead at Google, Webster utilizes the discipline, organizational skills, and team-oriented mindset developed through FA sports to motivate and manage her team. “I want my team to know that when we commit, we deliver.”

Xandy Walsh ’11 thrived between the goalposts on the lacrosse field, discovering early the value of playing a specialized role within a team. “In any team sport, finding your role is crucial—it gives you confidence and direction,” he observes. As a goalie, he had the unique perspective of surveying the field and providing strategic leadership.

Regarded as the “backbone” of his teams, Walsh’s leadership and defensive skills followed him to St. Andrews University, where he represented Scotland in U19 lacrosse. Now an associate specializing in mergers and acquisitions at Mintz Levin, he recognizes the crossover skills that help him succeed, “I understand my role within the organization, leading not necessarily from the front, but also from the back.”

Thomas Aviles ’12 became the highestscoring male basketball player in FA history with 1,121 points when he surpassed Tamasi’s 1990 record. As a pediatric gastroenterology fellow at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Thomas noted that he learned as much from his failures as his successes on the court. “I continue to work on this because life comes at you. It is important to learn to handle with grace whatever life brings you, especially in my

Allisa Dalpe ’12 , a WHOI Robotics and Research Engineer, also attributed having grace under pressure as one of the skills she learned from playing sports at FA. “When at sea, things can get a little stressful, especially when getting the vehicle ready for launch.” She notes that the whole troubleshooting process is a way of applying past situations to find present solutions. “Being a team captain helped me be a better team member by helping me better understand people.”

Dalpe is currently working on an Arctic vehicle that will deploy this summer in Greenland to do sample mapping beneath glaciers to better understand how they evolve and document the effects of climate change. “Building healthy habits from the repetition and practice that sports afford translates into how you use those habits in daily life.”

Eliza Van Voorhis ’17 said of her experience at FA, “Athletics taught me so much about leadership, time management, teamwork, perseverance, and self-confidence.”

Van Voorhis leverages her sports background at her job at the Sports Innovation Lab, where she builds data-driven strategies to expand a team’s fan base, increase sponsorships, and grow their brand. “I bring my experience as an athlete to work every day and continue to be grateful for my experiences at Falmouth Academy.” FA’s dedication to a team-over-individual philosophy in sports prepares students for leadership and success in a wide range of professional fields.

Trip to Madagascar is a Love Letter to FA Friend

Best friends Edmund Cole ’87 and Krissy Peters ’87 used to go adventuring around Osterville when they were in grade school, exploring the natural world through the gardens and along the shoreline. They loved studying birds and various fauna. Cole was especially intrigued by snakes.

The friends’ love for adventure continued when, as juniors, they and classmate Michael Ryan ’87 were recruited to play soccer for Team Massachusetts. Competitions took them to Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands where, Cole remembers, “We didn’t perform very well against the European teams, but we had fun exploring different cultures.”

Cole and Peters went their separate ways after graduating from FA. Peters trainhopped her way around the country, eventually landing in California while Cole traveled to Ecuador, Peru, Machu Picchu, the Amazon Basin, and the Galapagos Islands, where the idea of a trip to Madagascar first took root.

In the years that followed, Cole continued to travel. He visited Nepal in 1991 where he lived with a host family while studying in Kathmandu. He returned twice over the next decade while working on his master’s degree in Southern and Southeast Asian Studies. His childhood fascination with snakes was evident when he examined Nepali literature and Hindi mythology, specifically serpent deity worship, for his thesis.

Three decades later Cole finally stepped foot in Africa, his wish to visit Madagascar realized.

“I chose Madagascar because 90% of the wildlife is endemic to the island,” he said. On his 16-day trip he visited five national parks and reserves including: Andasipe-Mantadia National Park, Ranomafana National Park, Isalo National Park, ZombitseVohibasia National Park, and Anajajavy Private Reserve, 17,000 acres where multiple species, including chameleons, of all shapes and sizes, make their home.

He saw rain forests, cloud forests, and high plateau forests, as well as savannas, mountainous plateaus, and canyons. “As the mist rose throughout the canopy, the cadence of melodies in the Madagascar rainforest was intoxicating, magical,” Cole said.

Madagascar is home to the largest number of lemurs and features 100 species and subspecies of the animal as well as a multitude of birds and reptiles. Cole said, “The lemurs were friendly and seemed to evaluate their biped visitors. They weren’t afraid, and would like getting their photo taken. They showed off how graceful they were, swinging from one tree to another, but they always kept a curious eye on those of us having a curious interest in them.

“Before I set off on this adventure, I knew I wanted to dedicate the trip to the precious memories of my best friend Krissy, who was taken from us in 2020. This trip was absolutely astonishing, and I know she would have loved it.”

Scout Burchill ’11 Travels the Path of The Iliad and The Odyssey

Istanbul is known as the place where East meets West, where the continents of Europe and Asia come together. It is a city where the classics evolve into the modern, where historic philosophy meets current ideology in street cafes. It is where Scout Burchill ’11 created a life inspired by an education of the classics and a love of reading, writing, and conversation.

When he first entered St. John’s College in Annapolis, MD and began his study of The Iliad, he never dreamed he would one day breach the walls of Troy himself, thousands of years after the epic poem was first written.

As an undergrad at St. John’s, Burchill said the unique curriculum, known as the Great Books Program, reminded him of his experiences in English class at Falmouth Academy, particularly in senior English. “Reading Hamlet and All the King’s Men with Mrs. Kearsley and discussing the works with classmates around a single table, I got so much from those classes. The characters felt so alive to me and yet so complex.”

In his second year at St. John’s, Burchill studied the Bible. “I had this idea about studying it in the desert because St. John’s also has a campus in Santa Fe. So, I went there and absolutely loved it.”

St. John’s in Santa Fe was also where he met his future wife, Gurer Gundondu, who comes from Turkey. Following their graduation, they taught at an elementary school in Arizona for a year before deciding to move to Istanbul. Burchill earned a certificate in teaching English as a Second Language prior to moving to Turkey.

Istanbul is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, teeming with life, but not immune from instability. While he was there, Burchill experienced terror attacks, mass protests, earthquakes, and the influx of migrants and refugees from surrounding regions, mostly Syria, Afghanistan, Russia, and Ukraine. Burchill shared that Turkey hosts one of the largest refugee populations of any country in the world, close to 3.5 million.

In fact, just before he moved there in 2016, there was a military coup. It failed, but Burchill said, “There was a lot going on in Turkey that year and the years that followed. The resiliency I learned from the people there really became part of my education and values.”

It was a busy year in world politics, especially in the United States. “I hadn’t really thought about foreign policy before,” he said, “but living in Istanbul, I did start considering these things critically and thinking about things very differently. The experiences I was having there transformed into something that I was really interested in studying more deeply.”

He said, “Living with a new sense of precarity, I discovered there a sense of nurturing. Things felt more precious when they became precarious. There was also something comforting about being in a place which had seen so much but persisted still.”

Burchill quickly got a teaching job, where he stayed for one year and then was recruited by a Canadian school in Istanbul, where he taught math, science, and English Language Arts.

Burchill lived in a very small, very old apartment, but thought, “I was the luckiest person ever, because if I went to my tiny balcony, I turned my neck just this way, I could see the Bosphorus.”

Burchill set out to discover nearby Troy. “There was just so much opportunity to immerse myself in this world that I had studied and to see what it had become.”

“Now it’s just a pile of rocks, but it loomed so large to me. It was a moving experience and really taught me about the power of imagination and the stories we tell.”

Burchill enthused that Turkey is a country that is passionate about soccer.

“I love soccer and played at Falmouth Academy and on a team in Turkey. I am a big Bes¸iktas¸ supporter! Here are my wife and I at a match of her hometown soccer team in Adana. For me, as a player and a fan, soccer offered a window into Turkish culture and politics, and helped me build community.”

In 2019, Burchill knew he wanted to do something with what he had experienced in Turkey. He always loved school and entered the graduate program in International Relations at Bog˘aziçi University in Istanbul, where he spent his time with a small but diverse cohort of students, including journalists, people from their countries’ respective state departments, businesspeople, and consulate workers.

And then COVID happened mid-way through his second semester at grad school.

Turkey was one of only a handful of countries that could still send travelers to the United States. So, Burchill and his thenfiancée returned to the United States in 2020, where they attended their graduate school programs remotely, and got married.

After a few months, they returned to Istanbul and picked up their lives. Burchill became very interested in studying democratization and technology and analyzing social media and populism. Before graduating as Valedictorian (and giving a speech in English about learning values like courage, integrity, persistence and solidarity through experiences like COVID and instances of political tumult directly affecting his school), he secured a job as a research analyst with IN2, a communications company based in Istanbul.

Because the work is typically confidential, Burchill couldn’t discuss specific projects, but shared an example of the type of thing IN2 does. The company joined the COP28 Climate Conference in Dubai and talked about using VR to highlight the realities of climate change, particularly in Iraq, the fifth most vulnerable country in the world to the impacts of climate change, as well as raise awareness of how climate-related issues such as water scarcity can become drivers of conflict.

Scout and Gurer recently moved back to Boston where they both work remotely. She works for an education startup company, and he continues to work for IN2. He initially started doing research on how communications impact the projects this company takes on.

“I visited the Ancient Greek lands where The Odyssey took place. I hiked parts of the month-long Lycian Trail and the Carian Trail (where you see my wife and I resting above). Today, great journeys continue to happen through this land, but in a much darker light. Where Odysseus once sailed, modern day refugees typically try to make it into Europe in search of a better life by crossing the Mediterranean Sea.”

1980s

Fred Meltzer ’83 has long had music flowing through his veins and has performed all along the south coast of Massachusetts (and other states further south). His latest accomplishment is an album with Waxy Shellac and the Tasteless Apples called Shelf Life, which is now available on all the streaming platforms. The album includes 13 multi-genre bending original songs. Fred himself played guitar, bass, and drums, and sang vocals.

1990s

Rusty Foster ’94 was featured in a recent New York Times article (“From a Tiny Island in Maine, He Serves Up Fresh Media Gossip”) about his work as creator of a very popular e-newsletter called Today in Tabs, which is a chronicle of the media and internet culture. Rusty was a pioneer in internet development as a programmer and developer, and notably, according to the article, he was hired by Stephen Colbert and comedy writer Rob Dubbin in 2013 to help develop Scripto, scriptwriting software used by The Colbert Report and The Daily Show

2000s

Congratulations to Steven ’04 and Paul Heslinga ’07 whose business, The Heslinga & Tate Private Wealth Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, earned a place on the 2023 Forbes NextGen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State list. This list is based on the previous year’s industry experience, interviews, compliance records, and assets under management.

Jana Pickart ’05 was elected Chair of the Social Media and Technology subcommittee for the American Educational Research Association Division G UMASS Amherst. A Ph.D. student in the Language, Literacy, and Culture program, Jana is a poet, a peacebuilder, and an educator who manages the peer review process for Equity and Excellence in Education at UMASS.

Congratulations to Erin (Remillard) Aliotta ’06, who is an ED Nurse at New London Hospital in New Hampshire. Erin won an International DAISY Award, which rewards and celebrates the skillful compassionate care nurses provide every day. The patient who nominated her said, “Erin was an exceptional and natural caregiver. She makes nursing seem effortless even though I know it is a very demanding field.”

Teacher MaryAnn (Kowalski) ’06 and James Reynolds ’06, a 3D Concept Designer and Character Artist, respectively, welcomed baby Beatrice in November. Her uncles are Mike Kowalski ’04 and Justin Reynolds ’99

and past parents

grandparents.

Journalist Rosie Gray ’08 and her husband, British author and political journalist Ben Judah, welcomed baby Raphael (Raffi) in January.

Former Trustee Rob Reynolds and Kris Reynolds

James Kowalski and Janet Charpentier are

2010s

Best wishes to Madison Kretsch-York ’12 who married Cileah Kretsch in December. Madison is a project and marketing manager, and Cileah is on the faculty at Midwestern University in Phoenix.

Samira Wolf ’18, a police officer in Salisbury, North Carolina was asked to contribute to the Police Department’s celebration of Women’s History Month. She said, “Women’s History Month is important because it highlights the achievements of women both past and present who have helped build and mold this country. Most importantly, women throughout history have created opportunities for all women alike and laid out a strong foundation for women to build upon. Women in law enforcement may feel like they have to do double the amount of work as their male counterparts, but this is not the case. Females bring such a different aspect and set of skills to the job and it’s important to celebrate that.”

2020s

Founder of Falmouth Academy’s Students of Color affinity group and co-founder of the school’s Students for Social Justice, Mia Galvam ’22 has scored a summer fellowship with the State Senate Campaign of Dylan Fernandes ’08. Mia is a student at the Commonwealth Honors College at UMASS Amherst, majoring in History & Social Thought and Political Economy. She also attended Yale Law School’s Rebellious Lawyering Conference in the spring.

Alumni in the Washington, DC area got together in January to watch a Wizards game and spent time in the courtesy lounge, thanks to Bob Schneider ’09, Chief of Staff for Monumental Sports and Entertainment, and its owner, Ted Leonsis. Pictured are Luke Johns ’14, Lily Patterson ’14, Lily’s roommate, Clea Baumhofer ’10, Sam Amazeen ’07, and Linda (Baron) Suttora ’80.

Former English teacher Clare Beams has published a new book titled The Garden. A “most anticipated book of 2024,” it is set in 1948 at an isolated country-houseturned-hospital and features a husband-and-wife doctor team trying out an experimental cure for repeated miscarriage. A mysterious walled garden on the grounds has mystical powers and pulls. Ms. Beams said, “Really, it’s a novel about pregnancy as a haunted house.”

Save the Date — All alumni are welcome! Alumni Reunion

August 10, 2024 at Falmouth Academy 6:00–8:00 PM

Meet New Head of School David Perry

Celebrating class anniversaries of 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019

Reunions happening this summer:

Class of 2009 on July 6

Class of 2014 on August 24

Class of 2019 on August 10

For more information about upcoming Reunions, contact Barbara Campbell at bcampbell@falmouthacademy.org.

FALL SPORTS

Middle School Girls Soccer finished the season unbeaten and unscored upon (28-0), and Varsity Boys Soccer won their league.

Two of our cross-country runners, Elise Casso ’26 and Nait Gartner ’26 finished in first place among hundreds of sophomore entrants at the Frank Mooney Invitational 5K in Wrentham, MA. Both runners went on to compete in the MA All-State Meet in Devens, MA.

Overall, FA fall teams yielded 13 League All-Stars and, even more importantly, two individuals and one team were recognized with League Sportsmanship Awards.

Girls Varsity Soccer Awards

ALL-STAR

Thalia O’Neil ’24

ALL-STAR

Susanna Lowell ’25

ALL-STAR

Julietta Marzot ’25

ALL-STAR

Faye McGuire ’26

HONORABLE MENTION

Lily Connors ’24

Boys Varsity Soccer Awards

ALL-STAR

Marcus Greco ’24

ALL-STAR

Gus McGuire ’24

ALL-STAR

Marc Djikaev ’26

ALL-STAR

Jaiden Elber ’26

HONORABLE MENTION

Ben Angell ’24

SPORTSMANSHIP

Christian Hanoian ’24

TEAM SPORTSMANSHIP

Boys Varsity Soccer

Cross Country Awards

MVP/ALL-STAR

Elise Casso ’26

ALL-STAR

Wylie Wakefield ’24

ALL-STAR

Nait Gartner ’26

ALL-STAR

Erik Gulmann ’26

ALL-STAR

Natalie Pil ’24

HONORABLE MENTION

Harrison Webb ’26

SPORTSMANSHIP

Moss Junker ’28

This page from top left, clockwise: Varsity Boys Soccer team, Middle School Girls Soccer team, Elise Casso, Nait Gartner, Moss Junker and the Cross Country team, Marc Djikaev, Julietta Marzot

Boys Varsity Basketball Awards

MVP/ALL-STAR

Nate Holmes ’24

ALL-STAR

Drew Reeves ’24

ALL-STAR

Sasha Kaplenko ’26

SPORTSMANSHIP

Gus McGuire ’24

WINTER SPORTS

It was a season to celebrate this winter with Boys Varsity Basketball winning their division—the Cape & Islands League—and Girls Varsity securing a spot in the postseason. League MVP Nate Holmes ’24 joined the ranks of FA’s 1,000 club bringing the total to eight and ending his high school career with 1,034 points. He will play ball for Roger Williams University (D-3) in the fall.

Girls Varsity Basketball Awards

ALL-STAR

Maria Soares ’25

ALL-STAR

Willow Lajoie ’26

HONORABLE MENTION

Faye McGuire ’26

SPORTSMANSHIP

Sophie Holmes ’27

Bearback Bound

On November 9th, surrounded by family and friends in Morse Hall, Daniela Carvajal ’24 officially committed to the D-I Equestrian Team at Baylor University! Get ready for an amazing ride with the Baylor Bears, Daniela!

This page from top left, clockwise: Drew Reeves, Varsity Boys Basketball team, Willow Lajoie, Varsity Girls Basketball team

People of FA: A Celebration of Service and Legacy

Celebrating 83 years of collective teaching experience, this section honors individuals who have left indelible marks on our community. Heartfelt tributes to those concluding their chapters at Falmouth Academy, penned by their colleagues, are featured alongside introductions to two new members of the Board of Trustees and a commemoration of a foundational figure of the school.

As the page turns on these remarkable careers, their legacies continue to influence and shape the future of Falmouth Academy.

Susan Moffat

September 1996 to June 2024

By Lucy Nelson

Susan Moffat has been at FA for 28 years, and in that time, she has inspired hundreds of students in the art of photography. At a time when many schools have cut their darkroom program, Susan has lovingly maintained the space and shown students the magic of watching an image develop in the bath. Over the years, her students have won the highest accolades and prizes in local and national art competitions.

Susan’s roles at FA have been varied, from elective teacher to director of the summer program to advisor to resident photographer. Anyone who has worked with her knows she is quirky and funny yet fiercely loyal to her students, coworkers, and friends. She is one you can count on to show up, always.

Before teaching at FA, Susan traveled the world as a photographer for travel books. She brings this spirit of an explorer to the classroom and her art, with her signature “slice of life” photos. Susan celebrates the beauty in everyday moments, and anyone who knows her is lucky to have a little slice of Susan in their life.

Bill Andrade

September 2010 to June 2024

By Mike Earley

Falmouth Academy (and, more importantly, its students) have been the lucky beneficiaries of Bill Andrade’s decision to continue teaching Physical Education and coaching after his decades-long career in the Falmouth Public Schools. It is hard to find someone in Falmouth who has not had Bill as a teacher or connected to him in some other way, and we are delighted that our students are part of that club. Bill arrived at FA in 2010 as an experienced educator but still full of energy, humor, and affection for young people. In addition to PE, Bill has taught the Hiking and Fitness for Life electives, coached middle-school basketball, and served on our Committee for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. He has been the best possible role model for leading an active life and being a good teammate, involved in all areas of school life. His teaching style may be characterized by high expectations, personal warmth, and a sense of humor (who can forget his distinctive laugh?). We are grateful for Bill’s contributions and wish him the best in his second retirement!

Mike Earley

September 1999 to June 2024

By Doug Jones

In the old independent school world, schools relied on the “triple threat” faculty member who could teach, coach, and supervise a dormitory. For 25 years Falmouth Academy has benefited from the talents of our own “decathlete” Mike Earley who has taught French and History, coached soccer, basketball, and lacrosse, advised, chaperoned trips both internationally and domestically, mentored, served as Assistant Head in charge of student life, and for over ten years directed the Admissions Office Throughout his career, Mike has been a model of the professional educator always striving to improve his craft while deepening his understanding of the adolescent mind. Mike is an avid reader of fiction and non-fiction alike and regularly contributes his wideranging knowledge and experience into any conversation. His versatility as an educator and coach is obvious by his ability to transform from a teacher of French into an expert on Modern European History or to transfer his offensive lacrosse strategies to the basketball court—as Mike would say “it’s not about the X’s and O’s but much more about the Jimmys and Joes.” When Mike was first hired to teach at his old high school, in his everhumble way he expressed hesitation about his preparation to be a teacher and coach; however, his headmaster reassured him by encouraging him “just to love the kids.” Over the past thirty years, countless students and players have benefitted from his love and care. As Mike moves on to his next challenge, he will leave behind many pairs of shoes that will be hard to fill.

Matt Green

July 2018 to June 2024

By Megan English Braga

It is a complicated thing to celebrate an outgoing head of school. On the one hand, there is sadness in parting with someone with whom you’ve worked so closely in service to a community you treasure so dearly. On the other hand, there is excitement for the next chapter, both for the school and the outgoing head whose plans lay ahead of him.

The last six years under Matt Green’s tenure have been a time of great challenge and great growth for Falmouth Academy. It is hard to imagine a more challenging situation than being a relatively new head faced with the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools were the first institutions to bear the brunt of that unprecedented worldwide shutdown, and the ability of Falmouth Academy to pivot so quickly in response and to continue to provide the highest level of teaching, academic support, and sense of community during those many months was due in large part to Matt’s ability to mobilize and Falmouth Academy’s phenomenal faculty and staff.

During his tenure, Matt has engaged in deep inquiry into strategic planning for FA, promoted a greater examination of how our community can continue to be more equitable and inclusive, and, along with his development team, has increased giving across the community to fund important initiatives for the school: from the community scholars program to facility improvements, to launching the new $8M Forward to Fifty Campaign.

There is more than just projects and programs to a leader. Matt’s ability to listen, to collaborate, and always to appreciate a moment of levity and humor has made my chair that much easier and pleasurable. As we say goodbye to Matt and fête his accomplishments, I would be remiss not to mention the fact that much of what Matt has been able to accomplish would not have been possible without the tremendous talent, institutional wisdom, and dedication of all who teach and work at FA. Any head would be hard-pressed to find a better team to work with.

It may be several years before we can fully appreciate the impact of the initiatives supported by Matt Green in his time at Falmouth Academy, but we don’t need the passage of time to realize how very much he will be missed. I speak for the Board of Trustees when I say we wish Matt, Jen, and their children all the very best in this next adventure.

Pam Hinkle

July 2016 to June 2024

By Matt Green

At its best, iambic pentameter, when well-delivered, replicates the beat of a human heart, insistent and consistent, purposeful and ever-present, never overbearing or heavyhanded, not particularly visible (or audible) but ever so valuable.

For the past eight years, Pam Hinkle has served Falmouth Academy in much the same way as iambic pentameter serves Shakespearean verse. Neither a schmoozer nor a salesman nor a shakedown artist, Pam’s calling card is authenticity. I don't know that any institution, let alone our little school on the Cape, has been lucky enough to have a development professional as smart, strategic, self-directed, savvy, or steady as Pam. Our gift-giving policies, stewardship practices, accounting norms, database platforms, and so much more have been modernized and professionalized under her steady hand.

By any metric, she has been a success. In her tenure, more than $9.1M has been raised, including nearly $4M for the Forward to Fifty campaign. Annual Giving to the Fund for Falmouth Academy has seen an increase of 43.5%. We transitioned to our firstever online auction in 2020, hosted a second online-only auction (that felt a bit like a three-ring circus) in 2021, and finally in 2022 returned a live outdoor auction (our first to break six figures).

I suspect Pam measures success, however, not by statistics on spreadsheets, but by one relationship at a time. Relationships are what she has really been developing; the resources have just had the good sense to follow suit. To borrow from the parlance of the development profession, Pam Hinkle has been Falmouth Academy’s very own Major Gift.

July 2023 to June 2024

By Scottie Mobley

On behalf of the seventh grade, I would love to thank Maddy for stepping in to take over my science classes while I was out on maternity leave. The students enjoyed learning all about their anatomy and especially loved the hands-on projects, such as building paper mache bacteria and virus models. We wish her all the best best at her new job teaching 8th grade science at Rocky Mountain Prep in Denver, Colorado. Her cheery presence in the school will be missed.

Matt McKinnon

July 2023 to June 2024

By Mike Deasy

From his first moments leading Falmouth Academy athletics, sweating in the August sun as he helped me line the soccer fields in preparation for the season, to braving the cold spring rain as we taught a group of young lacrosse players to pass and catch, Matt McKinnon has been a dedicated and energetic advocate of FA’s student-athletes. Matt’s appreciation for disciplined effort and hard-nosed competition will be missed by FA’s athletes and coaches alike. I know I’ll miss his exuberant, “Holy Toledo!” in response to a great play or inspired effort. We wish him well in his next adventure as the athletic director of the Dighton-Rehoboth school district.

Maddy Francis ’19

Welcome New Trustees Greg Clancy ’97 and Adam Sholley

Falmouth Academy welcomes two new members to its Board of Trustees: Greg Clancy ’97 of Falmouth and Adam Sholley of Milton and West Falmouth. Clancy, an alumnus of Falmouth Academy and owner of Greg Clancy Construction, Inc. has considerable experience in the building trades and a deep connection to Falmouth Academy. As a standout athlete at FA, Clancy’s exceptional performance as a three-sport star, particularly as the starting lacrosse goalie, earned him recognition in FA’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He was recruited to play lacrosse at Kenyon College, where he majored in biology.

Sholley, who will retire in June, is the Associate Vice President of Development Communications, Events, and Donor Relations, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He brings a wealth of strategic marketing, communications, and development expertise to the Board having worked with leading consumer brands, higher education institutions, and not-for-profit organizations throughout his career. An alumnus of Noble and Greenough School, Sholley received his BA in English from Bowdoin College.

“Falmouth Academy is excited about the diverse perspectives and expertise that Greg and Adam will bring to the Trustees,” says Board Chair Megan English Braga. “Their respective backgrounds and dedication to the school’s mission will play a crucial role in advancing educational goals, building resources, and strengthening ties with the community.”

In Memoriam

Olivann Hobbie: A Life Well-Lived

By Barbara Campbell

Olivann Hobbie was Employee #1 when she joined the Falmouth Academy faculty as Assistant Headmistress in 1977. Over the years, she did so much more for this school. Before she passed away in 2023, she taught, of course, English, History, World Cultures, and even Math. She drove the FA bus. As chair of the arts, she brought incredible musicians to the Falmouth community. She arranged for Japanese politicians to visit FA to determine how they, too, could build such a school. And she could bake a mean almond cake. Larger than life. Full of passion. Dedicated scholar of life. These are words her students attest to her. Erik Gable ’98 once said, “The laws of physics don’t apply to Mrs. Hobbie.”

In a tribute, Emily Birdwhistell ’98 wrote, “Her enthusiasm for teaching her subject matter was infectious; she did everything with energy and care. I am a more curious and thoughtful person today as a result of the time I spent in her classroom.”

Alumni Council President Sam Amazeen ’07 said, “Her charisma, compassion, and authenticity simply cannot be replicated. She was a vibrant person who was a humble educator and leader. Her willingness to share her full, authentic self daily in the classroom set an extraordinary example and may have been one of the best lessons she gave her students.”

Jeremy Gantz ’00 reflected, “Like many other former FA students, I remember Mrs. Hobbie as an unstoppable and inspiring force of nature, a fount of energy who often seemed to have more hands and hours in her day than mere mortals. In so many ways, Mrs. Hobbie brought the world to life. By doing so, she shaped the lives of those who passed through her classroom—or just passed her in the hallway. Thank you, Mrs. Hobbie. I feel deep gratitude for having known you.”

The entire Falmouth Academy community remembers Mrs. Hobbie with gratitude and deep affection. Friends, alumni, and families have generously established the Olivann Hobbie Endowment for financial aid at Falmouth Academy in honor of her commitment to students and making a Falmouth Academy education available to all who would benefit.